Global Navigation

Smart Investing Program Sees Additions

AMES, Iowa – Across the state of Iowa, plans are under way to select 18 rural libraries to host the Smart investing @ your library program. The program is made possible by a grant to Iowa Library Services from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation through Smart investing @ your library, a partnership with the American Library Association. Now in its fifth year, this is the third grant that Iowa libraries have received.

Iowa Library Services is one of 16 recipients of the Smart investing @ your library grants in the latest round of grant making.

This grant program funds public library efforts to provide library patrons with access to effective, non-commercial investor educational resources. The Iowa project is a collaboration between Iowa Library Services and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“This is a win-win situation for the parties involved,” said Iowa State University Professor and Extension Specialist Cynthia Needles Fletcher. “It is a great opportunity for ISU Extension and Outreach to work with local libraries to educate Iowans about wise saving and investing.”

The libraries that receive the grants use a variety of technologies and outreach strategies to bring quality financial and investor education opportunities to library patrons at no cost to them. Librarians will receive training on the use of investment information resources. Participating libraries will expand their collection of financial and investment materials.

“Through this program, rural Iowans will learn how to make good decisions about money and we will support these libraries as they position themselves as centers for unbiased financial resources and education within their communities,” said Iowa Library Services Consultant Alysia Peich.

Three events will be held at each participating Iowa library. A financial-themed movie night will combine the showing of a movie with discussion. The libraries will then host six-week courses that combine face-to-face and online learning taught by ISU Extension and Outreach family finance program specialists. The courses will be followed by a local program on a finance topic.

“Our goal is to expand the offerings of financial education with this third grant,” said Fletcher. “We’re hoping to reach more Iowans.”